2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Review | Buyer Guide
‘08 Sebring Gets Hard and Soft Tops
Chrysler has taken an innovative approach with its Sebring convertible. They make it available with both a soft top, and a retractable hardtop. Other automakers, like Pontiac and Volvo, have come out with retractable hardtop convertibles, but Chrysler is the first to offer buyers a choice of fabric or steel. Steve Sowinski, Sebring design manager, says that the company wanted to appeal to traditional convertible customers, as well as those who would prefer the security and quiet that a steel top offers.
The retractable hard top is made up of three steel sections that fold into a bin in the trunk in 30 seconds. Driving with this kind of top makes the Sebring convertible just about as quiet as a sedan. However, most buyers are expected to opt for the soft top. It comes in both vinyl and cloth, and retracts a tad quicker.
Top up, or top down, the Sebring feels solid on the road. Chrysler reinforced the body, and made this ’08 model about twice as strong as its predecessor. I didn’t feel the cowl shake when I drove over rough roads. The Sebring has seating for four adults, although the legroom in the back is a bit tight. However, front seat passengers will experience a better view of the road this year—they sit 2.5-inches higher. As you might expect, trunk space with the top down is tight (6.6 cu-ft) and closing the trunk lid takes both hands and some effort.
The exterior design of the Sebring gets mixed reviews. Some think the styling is too busy—others say it’s just right. But the interior of the Sebring has a lot of eye appeal. It looks sporty, with white-faced gauges and brushed silver trim. And the tiny analog clock on the center dash adds a nice touch. My test car came with the optional two-tone leather upholstery, which was a nice luxury upgrade.
Chrysler offers the Sebring in three different models—the base model, just called Sebring, the Touring, and the Limited. The base Sebring comes only with a black vinyl soft top and a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 173 horsepower—up 23 from last year. It’s teamed to a four-speed automatic transmission. Gas mileage estimates are 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
Next up the ladder is the Touring. It’s likely to be the most popular of the convertible models. It can be had with a 2.7-liter, 189 hp, V-6. This is a flex-fuel motor that can run on ethanol blends. It’s teamed to the four-speed automatic as well. My test car was a Touring, with a noisy engine that delivered only adequate power, but I did average 23 mpg. The Touring comes standard with upgraded, stain-resistant fabric and larger 17-inch wheels. Buyers can upgrade the Touring with an optional cloth top, or the retractable hardtop.
The most desirable of the Sebrings is the Limited. It features a 3.5-liter V-6 that pumps out 235 hp. Chrysler mates it to a new six-speed automatic with a manual shift mode. While gas mileage is only 16-26 mpg, this car is the sportiest of the three. The Limited adds luxury features, like leather seats, tortoise shell accents, a Boston Acoustics sound system and 18-inch wheels.
Of course, the main reason you buy a Sebring is to drive it top-down, and this car is designed to deliver a comfortable open-air experience. Around town, you get just the right amount of wind in the face. On the highway, with the windows up, there is very little wind buffeting in the cockpit. If you use the optional windblocker behind the front seats, there is almost no turbulence inside the car at all.
Behind the wheel, the Sebring displays respectable road manners. The handling is predictable, but this is not a car that wants to be driven vigorously. The steering is not very communicative, and the Sebring will run wide in corners, if pressed hard. However, the ride is very pleasant, and free of small jiggling motions.
The Sebring has been the best selling convertible in the U.S. for most of the last decade. The 2008 model should continue this successful run. The Sebring Convertible pricing starts at $26,145, for the base model, $28,745 for the Touring, and $32,345 for the Limited.
Snapshot Review
Available Hardtop
Seating For 4 Adults
Solid Road Feel
Tight Trunk
